PMS - Effective Ways to Deal with Premenstrual Syndrome

It is five in the morning; my alarm just woke me up. It is time to get up and get ready for work, but I can hardly move. It feels as though my head is going to explode. Even the slightest movement makes me nauseous. I force myself to go to the kitchen, where I find some Tylenol in a cupboard. I swallow it with lukewarm water that’s been sitting on the counter all night with the hope that it will start working soon. I look down at my phone and see my app is reminding me that my period is coming today. Oh, no! Didn’t I just finish one? I feel like crying. I put on my stretchiest pants, knowing very well that soon enough the bloating is going to commence. After an hour on the train, I finally arrived at the office. The steady flow of people is a good distraction from the now subsiding cramps. After a couple of hours I think I’m beginning to feel a painful pimple forming on my chin. No. No no no. I rush to the ladies room to confirm, and yup, there it is. Big and red, and ... right in the middle of my face. Welcome to the world of being a woman, where on these kinds of days you want to put on a mask, wrap yourself up in a blanket, and hide.

Sound familiar? You’re not alone.

Most females experience some degree of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) that can vary from mild to severe. The occurrence of PMS slowly increases from adolescence and peaks during the 30s. The good news is that it quickly decreases after age 40. There is a wide range of physiological and psychological symptoms that women may experience, usually seven to ten days prior to menstruation. Headaches, body aches, breast tenderness, cramps, bloating, mood swings, irritability, food cravings, and weight gain are among the most common PMS symptoms. Fluctuations in hormone levels, especially a dramatic drop in estrogen and progesterone, are likely responsible for the symptoms. Calcium and vitamin D also fluctuate throughout the menstrual cycle because their metabolism is influenced by ovarian sex hormones. Women with a lower dietary intake of calcium and vitamin D may have an increased risk of PMS. Supplementing with calcium carbonate and vitamin D3 may be effective in relieving fatigue, breast tenderness, appetite changes, depression, constipation, and diarrhea. B vitamins, especially vitamin B6, may improve symptoms of bloating, headache, breast pain, irritability, and depression. Magnesium may relieve bloating, breast tenderness, headaches, improve mood, and prevent premenstrual weight gain. Vitamin E may efficiently reduce irritability, stress, and depression-related symptoms of PMS.

Avoiding salty and sugary foods, eating potassium-rich foods, and staying hydrated may reduce bloating and weight gain as well. Since caffeine can increase anxiety, tension, and irritability, avoiding it may be helpful in controlling emotional symptoms. To regulate emotional imbalances, you can try using relaxation techniques such as going for a walk, stretching, yoga, or any form of light exercise. Cramps can also be controlled by applying heat to the abdominal area. Some women report relief of PMS symptoms with herbal remedies such as ginger, ginkgo, chasteberry, evening primrose oil and St. John’s wort. Acupuncture may also be helpful.

PMS, although unavoidable, can be controlled. There are many options that we can try out in order to feel less miserable. See what works best for you.

To contact us for free consultation with the therapy follow this link or submit the form below.

Media by www.coma-rose.com